Major
Music (M.M.)
Research Presentation Abstract
Choral ensembles memorize music for concerts and other performances. Previous research in memorizing musical material is mostly anecdotal and primarily applied to individual instrumentalists. Research in choral memorization is nonexistent. This study aimed to systematically find out what memorization techniques are used in choral ensemble settings and to examine them based on existing literature in music memorizing. A survey was sent to choral directors and teachers in Southeast Georgia, collecting data on whether or not choral ensembles memorize their music and why, specific memorization techniques, and the aspects of memorization that present challenges for ensemble members. Fourteen choral directors and teachers completed the survey and identified multiple strategies for choral ensemble memorization. A list of recommended choral ensemble memorization techniques concludes the study.
Keywords
Choral Ensemble, Memorization, Memorization Techniques, Memory, Performance
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Principal Faculty Mentor
Laura Stambaugh
Principal Faculty Mentor Email
lstambaugh@georgiasouthern.edu
Principal Faculty Mentor’s Department
Music (CLASS)
Recommended Citation
Alley, Margaret A., "A Survey of Choral Ensemble Memorization Techniques" (2014). Phi Kappa Phi Research Symposium (2012-2016). 2.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/pkp/2014/Graduate/2
Compiled List of Memorization Techniques for Choral Ensembles
A Survey of Choral Ensemble Memorization Techniques
Choral ensembles memorize music for concerts and other performances. Previous research in memorizing musical material is mostly anecdotal and primarily applied to individual instrumentalists. Research in choral memorization is nonexistent. This study aimed to systematically find out what memorization techniques are used in choral ensemble settings and to examine them based on existing literature in music memorizing. A survey was sent to choral directors and teachers in Southeast Georgia, collecting data on whether or not choral ensembles memorize their music and why, specific memorization techniques, and the aspects of memorization that present challenges for ensemble members. Fourteen choral directors and teachers completed the survey and identified multiple strategies for choral ensemble memorization. A list of recommended choral ensemble memorization techniques concludes the study.